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Looking back on the ending of the ' 90 , few thing were as exciting as the release of the newStar Warsfilms . It had been closely two decades sinceReturn of the Jediwas released and fans think they would never turn back to a wandflower far , far away ever again . By the timeThe Phantom Menacewas released , it was perhaps the most extremely awaited motion-picture show of all sentence .
While the firstStar Warsfilms were obviously massive successes , by the clock time the prequels came out , this was one of the most iconic brand in the world . gratuitous to say , plenty of doer wanted to take part in this new trilogy and be a part ofStar Warshistory . Here are some of the actors who were almost roam in theStar Warsprequels .
Michael Angarano/Anakin Skywalker
The part of young Anakin Skywalker inThe Phantom Menacewas a very tough role to roam . George Lucas needed to find a vernal actor who had the range to show audiences he could one day become Darth Vader .
The search for the right actor was a foresightful one , look at thousands of Kid . It eventually came down to Jake Lloyd and Michael Angarano ( Red State , Almost Famous ) . Ina behind - the - scenes do
cumentary of the film , Lucas decided that while Angarano was the better player , Lloyd would be more comfortable with the film - making mental process . Given how ill - befit Lloyd seemed for the part , perhaps Lucas made the wrong call .
Vinette Robinson/Padme
Vinette Robinson has had a solid acting career in British television , appearing conspicuously in shows likeSherlockandThe A watchword . However , her vocation almost started off in a much bigger way .
Robinson recall thather very first auditionwas for Padme inThe Phantom Menace . The role that finally go to Natalie Portman would have been a square manner to start out as an thespian . Though she did n’t get the role , it ’s interesting that Lucas was believe an role player of colour for the female parent of Luke and Leia Skywalker .
Leonardo Dicaprio/Anakin
WithAttack of the Clones , the 2d installment in the prequel series , Lucas needed an aged player to ill-use into the Anakin role . Despite poor reaction toThe Phantom Menace , this function became heavily sought out among Hollywood ’s young stars .
Leonardo DiCaprio is one of those doer who is rumour to be up for every role , but he himself confirmshe was offered this part . He explain that the reason he turn it down was but that he was n’t ready to join the big budget earthly concern . To DiCaprio ’s credit , he has become one of cinema ’s bounteous stars without going down the enfranchisement path .
Gary Oldman/General Grievous
Gary Oldman is one of the most acclaimed thespian working today . He has given extremely praise performances in films likeSid and NancyandLeon : The Professional , won an Oscar forThe Darkest Hourand starred in theHarry Potterseries and Nolan ’s Batman series . To addStar Warsto that resume would be even more telling .
Oldman has in fact been cast as the voice of General Grievous inRevenge of the Sith . However , Oldman wasforced to pull outof the film as it was being made without Screen Actors Guild members . It ’s sad that such a technicality would prevent Oldman from joining another iconic franchise .
Ryan Phillippe/Anakin
Ryan Phillippe was another of the democratic young actors who was look at for call for over the Anakin Skywalker role inAttack of the Clones . Apparently , Phillippe pursued the role strongly and was able-bodied to get as far as reading for the part opposite Natalie Portman .
In the ending , Phillippe claims it came downto him being the untimely eld to play opposite Portman ’s Padme . That seems like a secure bet , as Phillippe is really a few year honest-to-goodness than Portman who was meant to wager the old character .
Paul Walker/Anakin
One of the swell tragedies in Hollywood in late eld was the destruction of Paul Walker . The young actor was vote down in a car accident , leaving behind a career that was far too brusque . Walker was most known for his function as Brian O’Connor in theFast and Furiousfranchise , but he was nearly a part of an even bigger motion-picture show series .
Like Phillippe , Walker was veryinvested in getting the role . He take on that so many young actors were up for the role that it ’s hard to love how closelipped he came . In the end , it was Walker’sTakerscostar Hayden Christensen that get the part .
Joseph Fiennes/Obi-Wan
While untested Hollywood was vie for the role of Anakin , the persona of youngObi - Wanwas another sought after role . Sir Alec Guinness made the role famous , but Ewan MacGregor impressed many fans with his performance in the prequels .
MacGregor ’s final contest for the role was Joseph Fiennes . TheShakespeare in Loveactor met with Lucas and might have gotten the role if not for a very vital nipper . Fiennes explains that the theatre director introduced Fiennes to his daughter whowas less than impressed . He recalls,“His daughter wrench around and said ‘ I do n’t like this guy . He ’s unearthly . I do n’t care him . ’ And that ’s how my audition went " .
Tupac Shakur/Mace Windu
Tupac Shakur is one of the most renowned musical artist of all - time . Before his tragical slaying , Tupac was known for his belligerent and poetic blame poesy and his euphony still resonate with fans to this day . However , Tupac was also a very talented thespian . And it just so happens , he was aStar Warsfan as well .
A friend of Tupacconfirms that the rapperwas asked to try out for the use ofMace Windu . As he says,“He was telling me that he was supposed to interpret for George Lucas and them . They wanted him to be a Jedi " . Seeing as Tupac die in 1996 , it would seem like Lucas was considering this casting quite far in approach .
Benicio Del Toro/Darth Maul
Despite all its faults , The Phantom Menacedid allow a rather memorable baddie . Darth Maul , the silent Sith bravo had a nerveless quality plan and put up some of the moving picture ’s most memorable second , but was lamentably short - lived .
The character was primitively written to play a large role and Benicio Del Toro was throw in the part . Del Toro eventually back out after Lucas trimmed the role and cut many of his lines . Del Toro would afterwards join theStar Warsuniverse as DJ inThe Last Jedi .
Michael Jackson/Jar Jar Binks
Much to George Lucas ' mortification , the most illustrious – or infamous – aspects ofThe Phantom Menaceis Jar Jar Binks . The CGI persona was meant to be the fun comic ease in the plastic film , but finish up beinghighly irritating cartoon . In a turn of casting that might have made the character even more outlandish , vocalist Michael Jackson wanted the part .
Ahmed Best , the role player who finally performed the partrecalls Lucas telling himJackson initially require the part , but wanted to play him in prosthetic make - up rather than CGI . Though surd to suppose , Jackson ’s casting would probably have made the character even more unbearable .
NEXT : Star Wars Fandom Has Finally Gotten Over The Prequels - Thanks To Disney
